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Mistakes Singers Do When Learning (and How to Avoid Them)
Choosing the right singing teacher is a personal and important decision for any aspiring vocalist, whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your technique. A great singing teacher doesn’t just teach you how to sing—they guide your vocal journey with care, knowledge, and honesty.
“Every singer begins with passion. But the ones who truly grow are those who learn from their mistakes — not repeat them.”
Learning to sing is one of the most rewarding journeys you can take. Yet it’s also full of common pitfalls — habits that quietly hold you back, even as you practise more and more.
At Nicholas Martin Singing School , we often meet students who have already been singing for a while, but feel stuck. The reason is rarely lack of talent. It’s usually a handful of small, correctable mistakes made early in the learning process.
1. Skipping the Warm-Up
“Your voice is a living instrument. You wouldn’t sprint without stretching — so why sing without warming up?”
What happens:
You jump straight into songs without preparing your voice.
Why it matters:
Cold vocal folds are less flexible and more prone to strain. Skipping warm-ups reduces tone control and makes high notes feel harder.
What to do instead:
Start each session with gentle exercises like humming, lip trills, or soft sirens. These warm the muscles and help you connect breath with sound.
“Every lesson at Nicholas Martin Singing School begins with a mindful warm-up — it’s how we set the tone for safe and confident singing.”
2. Poor Breath Support
What happens:
You take shallow breaths that lift the shoulders and tighten the throat.
Why it matters:
Proper breath support gives stability, power, and emotional control to every phrase. Without it, your tone collapses or sounds forced.
What to do instead:
Practise diaphragmatic breathing — expanding through the ribs and abdomen as you inhale. Release air evenly while keeping your posture tall and relaxed.
You can learn the technique step by step in our Adult Singing Lessons or Children’s Singing Lessons, where breath control forms the foundation of every class.
3. Carrying Tension in the Body
“Good singing doesn’t come from pushing harder — it comes from letting go.”
What happens:
Your shoulders rise, the neck stiffens, and your jaw clenches as you try to reach notes.
Why it matters:
Tension restricts resonance and can limit range. It prevents your true voice from resonating naturally.
What to do instead:
Check for relaxed shoulders, free neck movement, and a loose jaw. Incorporate gentle stretches before you sing.
“Nicholas helps students recognise hidden tension patterns — it’s often the moment their true voice finally appears.”
Read more about Nicholas’s approach on the About Nicholas Martin page.
4. Trying to Sound Like Someone Else
What happens:
You copy your favourite artist’s tone or accent instead of exploring your own.
Why it matters:
Every voice is unique. Forcing a sound that isn’t yours leads to tension and frustration.
What to do instead:
Discover your natural voice first, then refine it. Influences are valuable, but authenticity builds artistry.
“Your voice is already special — our job is to help you discover what makes it yours.”
5. Choosing Songs Out of Range
What happens:
You choose songs that sit too high or too low, and end up straining.
Why it matters:
Singing out of range can create bad habits and vocal fatigue.
What to do instead:
Select songs that fit your current level and range, and gradually expand from there. At Nicholas Martin Singing School, students learn to adapt keys and build stamina safely in each lesson
6. Inconsistent or Unfocused Practice
“Progress doesn’t come from repetition. It comes from reflection.”
What happens:
You practise randomly, without structure or clear goals.
Why it matters:
Without focused exercises, you risk reinforcing the very mistakes you want to fix.
What to do instead:
Divide practice time into warm-ups, technical work, and song study. Record yourself, then review and adjust.
During one-to-one lessons, students receive tailored routines that make every session productive and motivating.
7. Ignoring Vocal Health
What happens:
You sing when tired, dehydrated, or sick — or push through soreness.
Why it matters:
Your voice is part of your body. Without proper care, even good technique won’t protect it from overuse.
What to do instead:
Drink water, rest, and avoid shouting. Balance singing with silence. If your voice feels hoarse, stop and recover before practising again.
“Technique means little if the instrument itself isn’t cared for. Vocal health is the heart of progress.”
8. Avoiding Feedback
What happens:
You practise alone, without guidance or honest evaluation.
Why it matters:
Without feedback, bad habits stay hidden. Self-correction has limits.
What to do instead:
Record your sessions and review them with a teacher who can spot what you can’t.
Visit the Book a Lesson page to receive individual coaching and personalised feedback.
The Nicholas Martin Approach: Turning Mistakes into Mastery
At Nicholas Martin Singing School, every mistake becomes a learning opportunity. Lessons are structured to diagnose small technical issues early and replace them with sustainable habits.
Through one-to-one guidance, students learn to:
- Strengthen breath control and posture
- Expand range safely
- Develop resonance and tone
- Build confidence on stage and in practice
You can learn more about how lessons work on the Singing Lessons page.
Final Thought
Mistakes are not failures — they are feedback. Every singer makes them; the difference lies in whether you keep repeating them or learn from them.
If you’re ready to refine your technique and grow your confidence, book your first lesson today and discover what your voice can truly do.
👉 Book Your First Lesson in London
“At Nicholas Martin Singing School, we don’t chase perfection — we build confidence, technique, and joy through every note.”
FAQ
Often, beginners skip warm-ups or try to sing songs that sit too high or low for their voice. Both can lead to tension and frustration. Starting gently and working within your comfortable range is key.
With focused lessons and consistent practice, most students start to feel noticeable improvement within a few weeks. Long-term growth, however, develops over months of guided training.
If your shoulders lift or your neck feels tight after singing, you’re probably overworking. Try to sing in front of a mirror or record yourself to spot these habits.
No. Singing is a learned skill. With the right guidance, anyone can develop tone, control, and confidence — it’s about training, not genetics.
A vocal coach identifies issues you might not hear yourself — from breath support to vowel shaping — and gives you specific, actionable exercises to fix them.
